NRA Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory EMP4 Concealed Carry Contour

by
posted on March 11, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Springfield Armory's 9 mm specific M1911 features a bi-tone arrangement of metals, and uses a stainless steel slide over an anodized and lightweight aluminum frame—hence the name Lightweight Champion Concealed Carry Contour. The flat mainspring housing tails off at the magazine well with a bobtail treatment to enhance its concealability.

For more about this feature-rich handgun from Springfield Armory, check out this week's video, hosted by American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach.

Manufacturer
: Springfield Armory
Model: EMP 4” Concealed Carry Contour (PI9229L)
Action: single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Slide: stainless steel
Frame: aluminum; black anodized finish
Stocks: G-10; black
Sights: three-dot, combat-style; red fiber-optic front
Barrel: 4”; stainless steel, six-groove 1:16” LH twist, match grade bull
Trigger: 5-lb. pull
Overall Length: 7.50”
Height: 5.50”
Slide Width: 0.92”
Grip Width: 1.15”
Weight: 31 ozs.
Magazine: nine-round detachable box
MSRP: $1,220

Additional Reading:
Tested: Springfield Armory EMP4 Concealed Carry Contour

Latest

firing a musket rifle
firing a musket rifle

Today’s Makers of Yesterday’s Firearms

Original firearms from the American Revolution era are valuable and best preserved for posterity. For those who want to shoot them, several modern makers offer quality reproductions.

Left Turn (Bolt): Tikka's New Left-Handed T3x Ace Rifles

Lefties of the world unite and rejoice, as Tikka has announced left-hand versions of its award-winning T3x Ace chassis rifles.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 14, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.